On behalf of my co-authors Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa, I’m proud to announce that The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2013 is now available via Amazon and Barnes & Noble, a few days before the book’s 9/19 official release date. It can be pre-ordered from iBooks in advance of its digital release later this month. […]

On behalf of my co-authors Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa, I’m proud to announce that The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2013 is now available via Amazon and Barnes & Noble, a few days before the book’s 9/19 official release date. It can be pre-ordered from iBooks in advance of its digital release later this month.

This has been a year of remarkable change at the Disneyland Resort, and our latest update to the Unofficial Guide reflects all the radical reimagineering the Anaheim attractions have undergone.

Here’s a rundown on all the fresh material you will find in our 2013 Guide:

Disneyland With Kids

Dining and Shopping in and Around Disneyland

Refreshed reviews of every full-service and counter-service restaurant at the resort.

Details on dining at Carthay Circle, Flo’s V8 Cafe, and all the new signature eateries in DCA’s Buena Vista Street and Cars Land.

The arrival of Starbucks inside the Disney parks.

Fresh reviews of the new menus at Jolly Holiday Bakery, Carnation Cafe, and House of Blues.

Updated advice on your best snacking options around the resort.

Changes at Ariel’s Grotto and the Cove Bar.

World of Color dining options at Wine Country Trattoria and Carthay Circle.

New dining options at Anaheim Gardenwalk in the surrounding city.

Disneyland Park

Expanded information on the Disney Gallery and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (seasonally starring the Voices of Liberty).

Information on construction of the new Princess Fantasy Faire.

A review of the controversial refurbishment of Matterhorn Bobsleds.

Changes to Innoventions, and where you can get a free souvenir in Tomorrowland.

New details on live entertainment around the park, including Billy Hill’s relocation to Big Thunder Ranch.

Fresh insights and behind-the-scenes dish from Jim Hill.

Disney California Adventure

Ratings and reviews of all the new attractions and entertainments inside Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, including the blockbuster Radiator Springs Racers ride.

How to navigate the new early entry procedures at DCA, plus new single rider and FASTPASS advice.

Updated advice on viewing World of Color, including the new “Glow With The Show” mouse ears.

New entertainment around the park, from Minnie’s Fly Girls to the Mad T Party.

Universal Studios Hollywood

In-depth review of Universal’s smash new Transformers 3-D attraction.

The announcement of a West Coast Harry Potter attraction, with hints on the future of the Waterworld and Terminator shows.

Information on VIP upgraded admission.

Of course our world-famous Touring Plans — completely overhauled for the new attractions, and optimized with the aid for our custom computer database — are all included in a handy clip-out format.

And for those those visitors who aren’t the “theme park commando” type, we’ve added for the first time a “No Rides/No Queues/No Stress Anti-Touring Plan” guaranteed to help the most anti-attraction grouch have a great time.

Remember, readers who purchase the new Guide can get a generous discount off their Disneyland Lines subscription. You’ll also notice that the park and attraction descriptions on TouringPlans.com have been updated to reflect the new content found in print. We hope you enjoy the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, and invite you to leave us your comments below.

Welcome once again to our mostly-weekly wrap-up of what’s been happening at Disney’s Anaheim resort. Deepest apologies to anyone left bereft by the absence of this column, but the Touring Plans team was obviously occupied by a teensy-tiny little Grand Reopening that you may have heard about. Fret not: we’re back to bring you the […]

Welcome once again to our mostly-weekly wrap-up of what’s been happening at Disney’s Anaheim resort. Deepest apologies to anyone left bereft by the absence of this column, but the Touring Plans team was obviously occupied by a teensy-tiny little Grand Reopening that you may have heard about. Fret not: we’re back to bring you the news of everything that’s happened in the week since Cars Land and Buena Vista Street were unveiled to public.

Crowd Calendar

The new attractions at Disney California Adventure have rewritten attendance rules at the resort, and redefined what “busy” means.

Quietest Day: Thanks to Annual Pass blackouts, Saturday 6/23 was only a 3.8 at Disneyland and 5.4 at Disney California Adventure.

Busiest Day: Tuesday 6/19 was unofficially reported by Al Lutz as the highest-attended day in the history of Disneyland Resort, until the record was broken again on Wednesday with a 4.4 in Disneyland and 9.9 at DCA.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishment

All attractions in both parks are now open, including the new offerings in Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. No refurbishments are currently scheduled.

The Carnation Plaza Gardens at Disneyland is being transformed in princess meet & greet. When the project is complete in 2013, the princesses current home in the former Videopolis theater will become an entertainment venue again.

If you look at a descending list of the box offices revenues for Pixar films, neither film in the Cars series is near the top. This has not, however, prevented Cars-related merchandise from being astoundingly popular. This comes as no surprise to most parents of a young boys, and a June 2011 Los Angeles Times article even suggests that […]

If you look at a descending list of the box offices revenues for Pixar films, neither film in the Cars series is near the top. This has not, however, prevented Cars-related merchandise from being astoundingly popular. This comes as no surprise to most parents of a young boys, and a June 2011 Los Angeles Times article even suggests that prospective merchandise sales drove Disney’s green-lighting of Cars 2 and perhaps even California Adventure’s recent expansion. Needless to say, you will find ample themed merchandise readily available in Cars Land and throughout California Adventure.

Tom Bricker writes:

Stores in Cars Land are really small. I was a bit surprised by this, especially given that one of the big ‘sells’ for Cars Land is the merchandising opportunities. It would have been one thing if they all were unique merchandise stores, but they’re not.

Brief overviews of the stores (each of which is visually fantastic) follow:

Sarge’s Supply Hut

Across Route 66 from Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is a rusty Quonset hut that houses Sarge’s Supply Hut. Appropriate for a supply shop run by a military jeep, American flags, gas cans, barrels, and other supplies abound in the decor. In addition, merchandise racks are styled like wooden shipping crates. The wares for sale, of course, are all about Cars. Visit this store if you’re in search of Cars merchandise like t-shirts and toy cars.

Radiator Springs Curios

Made out to be an ramshackle roadside junk store near the tacky Cozy Cone Motel, this shop’s exterior features antique gas pumps and weathered road signs. Although the use of road signs in decorating continues to inside the store, the interior is small but clean and modern. Merchandise includes shirts, pins and lanyards, mugs, Vinylmation, prepackaged snacks, Route 66 mouse ears, and more.

Radiator Springs Racers Vinylmation

Ramone’s House of Body Art

Adjacent to Flo’s V8 Cafe is the main shopping venue of Cars Land. There are black and white tile floors like you’d find in a high-end garage, and chrome exhaust pipes top some of the merchandise racks. At Ramone’s you can find Cars artwork, grand opening memorabilia, attraction-specific clothing, and other Cars Land items.

All eyes in the theme park industry turned last week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure was celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opened to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants already had their way with the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team was there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. were all on-property that week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.

Instant Concert! …Just Add Water Guy Selga says: I liked it. It takes almost no effort to see; we walked up two minutes before show time and stood right in front of Goofy. Nice little show–it reminds me of the old Goofy instructional cartoons! Our Rating: 3.5 stars What it is: Musical fountain show Scope […]

Description And Comments

With background narration that hearkens back to cartoon shorts of the past, Maestro Goofy attempts to direct a short concert in Paradise Park. Of course, the orchestra is invisible, but the Paradise Bay fountains used in World of Color respond to the music in a spectacular way. The result is a short bit of comedic entertainment.

Touring Tips

There concerts are short, and the viewing area is ample, so there is currently no need to show up early.

Special Comments

There is no seating, so be prepared to stand. Instant Concert! …Just Add Water takes place several times a day on Paradise Bay. There are currently three different pieces of music; one is performed at each show, so if you enjoy it, return later to see one of the other performances!

All eyes in the theme park industry turn this week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure is being celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opens to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants will have already had their way with the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team is there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. will all be on-property this week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Over the next few days, please check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.

Comments

This new quick-service eatery — named after both the Three Little Pigs and an imaginary songstress trio whose manufactured mementos hang inside — boasts a large open dining area in the Arts & Crafts style. You can get your morning jolt of Starbucks-brand joe (or a venti half-caff soy latte, if you prefer) and grab-and-go breakfast pastries here. Lunch and dinner selections spotlight soups and sandwiches.

Selections

Candy

Comments

This classic candy shop has an exposed kitchen where you can watch taffy, candy apples, marshmallows, fudge, and other sweets being made. Check out the Big Rock Candy Mountain model in the window, inspired by plans for a never-built Disneyland attraction.

Selections

Cold drinks and fresh fruit

Comments

This grab-and-go location is the closest place to the park entrance to get a snack. The market is named after Walt’s original appellation for his animated mouse, until his wife urged him to make it Mickey.

All eyes in the theme park industry turn this week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure is being celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opens to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants will have already had their way with the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team is there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. will all be on-property this week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Over the next few days, please check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.

Selections

Comments

Cars Land’s largest eatery serves classic American diner food with a creative Southwestern flair. Breakfast selections feature chicken and egg tamales and caramel banana french toast. Signature lunch and dinner choices include a vegetarian Boca casserole, New York strip loin, and citrus turkey breast, with “ugly crust” apple-cheddar and cherry pies for desert. Memorabilia from proprietor Flo’s past as a famous Motown singer is featured in the décor.

Tom Bricker says:

“The breakfast cones are ok, but expensive for what you get. I enjoyed the pomegranate limeade.”

Selections

Chili, popcorn, ice cream, churros, pretzel bites, specialty drinks

Comments

Each conical commissary in this food court, based on Sally’s construction-cone motel from the film, serves different snacks and drinks with punny names like “chili cone queso” and “route beer floats.” For breakfast, cone #3 sells scrambled eggs in a bread cone. Popcorn comes in unusual favors like dill pickle and bacon cheddar, with 2 rotating varieties offered daily. Check the selections before you line up, since each of the 5 cones vends a different menu.

Selections

Comments

Inside in a geodesic dome near the Cars Land entrance is this grab-and-go snack bar, themed after the groovy VW microbus character voiced by the late George Carlin.

All eyes in the theme park industry turn this week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure is being celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opens to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants will have already had an opportunity to experience the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team is there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. will all be on-property this week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Over the next few days, please check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.

Description And Comments

Much like the vintage vehicles that travel up and down Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland Park, these trolley cars add visual interest to DCA’s entrance area, but not much entertainment value. Modeled after the Pacific Electric Railway that served the Los Angeles area in the 1920s and 1930s (as seen in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?) the trolleys boast authentic details like narrating conductors who share historical tidbits during your travels, retro-styled interior advertisements, and realistic overhead power lines — un-electrified, as the new eco-friendly cars are actually battery-powered. More transportation than attraction, the Red Car Trolleys ferry guests between Buena Vista Street near the park entrance and the Tower of Terror, making stops in Cathay Circle and Hollywood Land along the way.

Touring Tips

It is usually faster to walk the route than to wait for the next Red Car Trolley, but if you wish to experience this nostalgic transportation, do so in the morning. Hop on at the station near the Tower of Terror exit; it should be less crowded than the station on Buena Vista Street near the park entrance.

The Red Car briefly stops serving guests several times daily so it can be commandeered as a stage for the Red Car News Boys show (see show schedule for details).

All eyes in the theme park industry turn this week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure is being celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opens to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants will have already had an opportunity to experience the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team is there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. will all be on-property this week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Over the next few days, please check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.

Cars Land Tom Bricker says: “Overall, Cars Land was money very well spent. It will be a huge draw for Disneyland Resort for years to come.” Cars Land is the crowning capstone on DCA’s transformation, and the first major “land” in an American Disney theme park devoted solely to a single film franchise. Tucked in […]

Cars Land

Tom Bricker says:

“Overall, Cars Land was money very well spent. It will be a huge draw for Disneyland Resort for years to come.”

Cars Land is the crowning capstone on DCA’s transformation, and the first major “land” in an American Disney theme park devoted solely to a single film franchise. Tucked in the park’s southeast corner on 12 acres of repurposed parking lot, Cars Land’s main entrance is across from the Golden Vine Winery, though there are secondary gateways in a bug’s land and Pacific Wharf. A massive mountainous backdrop topped with 125-foot-high peaks patterned after 1959 Cadillac Pinnacle tail fins — known as the Cadillac Range — cradles Ornament Valley, home to a screen-accurate re-creation of Radiator Springs. That’s the sleepy single-stoplight town along Route 66 populated by Pixar’s anthropomorphized automobiles.

Along its main drag, in addition to three rides, you find eateries themed to the film’s minor characters such as Fillmore’s Taste-In, serving fruit drinks and snacks; Cozy Cone Motel, with chili, ice cream, and popcorn, all served in conical containers; and Flo’s V8 Cafe, serving creative takes on classic comfort food with a Southwestern twist for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Souvenir shops include Radiator Springs Curios, Ramone’s House of Body Art, and Sarge’s Supply Hut.

Cars Land represents a considerable investment in capital and creativity for the Disney company, resulting in a rare example of complete entertainment immersion. Toys of Lightning McQueen and his petrol-powered pals have been flying off store shelves since before the 2006 debut of Cars, and sales have only accelerated with the release of a sequel in 2011. Expect the area to draw large crowds all day, and even significantly increase California Adventure’s overall attendance.

Cars Land Entertainment

Red the Firetruck shows up with sirens blazing to spray down the crowds.

DJ’s Dance and Drive features the ‘ultimate party car’ cruising down the strip as an interactive mobile music-maker.

Mater and Lightning McQueen take turns posing for photos near the Cozy Cone Motel; these life-sized vehicles can deliver quips recorded by the original voice actors to grinning guests.

All eyes in the theme park industry turn this week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure is being celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opens to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants will have already had an opportunity to experience the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team is there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. will all be on-property this week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Over the next few days, please check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.

Buena Vista Street From the Esplanade, where huge block letters spelling CALIFORNIA originally stood, you now pass through a new Streamline Modern entrance facade, designed after Los Angeles’s fabled Pan Pacific Auditorium. (If it looks familiar, that’s because it can also be recognized as the entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios park in Florida.) Once past […]

Buena Vista Street

From the Esplanade, where huge block letters spelling CALIFORNIA originally stood, you now pass through a new Streamline Modern entrance facade, designed after Los Angeles’s fabled Pan Pacific Auditorium. (If it looks familiar, that’s because it can also be recognized as the entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios park in Florida.)

Once past the turnstiles, you’ll find yourself on Buena Vista Street, a re-creation of 1920s Hollywood as Walt saw it when he first arrived.

Immediately upon entering, to your left you’ll find Oswald’s Filling Station (a souvenir shop with a snazzy antique car parked outside), and the Chamber of Commerce (concealing Guest Services and First Aid). To your right you’ll see lockers, restrooms, an ATM, and phones. The street leading to the central plaza is lined on both sides with a variety of shops and eateries with back stories referring to Disney’s early biography. Among the shops on the east side are Elias & Co. Department Store (the park’s largest shop, named after Walt’s father), Los Feliz Five and Dime (hats and shirts), and Big Top Toys. The west side of the street features an indoor shopping arcade that leads to Kingswell Camera Shop (a PhotoPass printing location), Julius Katz & Sons (kitchen items), Atwater Ink & Paint (collectibles), and the Trolley Treats candy shop (check out the Big Rock Candy Mountain model in the window). Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café and adjoining Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Parlor round out the street’s retail district.

The original hub area, called Sunshine Plaza, was dominated by an arresting metal sculpture of the sun. In its place now stands Carthay Circle, home to the Storytellers statue (depicting a young Walt Disney with an early version of Mickey Mouse) and a replica of the Carthay Circle Theatre, where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in 1937; in this incarnation, it encloses a restaurant and bar.

Together, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle don’t simply serve as a point of departure for the park’s other various themed areas. They bring much-needed charm and atmosphere to DCA’s “first act,” forming a fantastic improvement over the flat cartoon-postcard facades that framed the former entryway.

Tom Bricker says:

“Buena Vista Street is an excellent ‘opening act’ for Disney California Adventure. It looks like a more detail-rich version of Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.”

Buena Vista Street Entertainment

A gang of singing Red Car News Boys (and one newsgirl), loosely inspired by the cult film and Tony-winning Broadway musical Newsies, use the Red Car Trolleys as a roving stage for exuberant song-and-dance performances.

Tom Bricker says:

“Red Car News Boys is really well done, and not overly long. There is a little bit of a story, but the real draw is the talking Mickey Mouse (who appears in the show for a good period) and the singing and dancing.”

The Five & Dime musical sextet sing jazz standards of the 1930s in the style of Billie Holiday.

You may also bump into interactive improvisation actors portraying police officers, bicycle messengers, or other eccentric Citizens of Buena Vista, a troupe similar to the popular “Streetmosphere” characters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando.

All eyes in the theme park industry turn this week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure is being celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opens to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants will have already had an opportunity to experience the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team is there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. will all be on-property this week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Over the next few days, please check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree Our Rating: 3 Stars Tom Bricker says: “Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is my third-favorite ride in Cars Land, but it’s still very solid — hilarious and fun for what it is.” What it is: Midway-type whip ride. Scope and scale: Minor attraction. When to go: The first 30 minutes the park is open. […]

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

Our Rating: 3 Stars

Tom Bricker says:

“Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is my third-favorite ride in Cars Land, but it’s still very solid — hilarious and fun for what it is.”

What it is: Midway-type whip ride.

Scope and scale: Minor attraction.

When to go: The first 30 minutes the park is open.

Special Comments: Must be 32″ tall to ride.

Duration of ride: About 90 seconds.

Average wait time per 100 people ahead of you: 8 minutes.

Loading speed: Slow

Description And Comments

On the outskirts of town sits the junkyard home of Mater, the redneck tow truck voiced by Larry the Cable Guy. In his yard sit 22 baby tractors, each towing an open-air two-seater trailer. While Mater’s voice emerges from an oversized junk jukebox singing one of 9 specially-composed square-dancing tunes, the tractors travel in overlapping figure-8 patterns along interlocking turntables. The vehicles are transferred from one revolving turntable to another, creating near-miss moments much like Francis’ Ladybug Boogie. The difference is that Mater’s trailers swing freely from side to side, creating a centripetal snapping sensation similar to vintage whip carnival rides.

Touring Tips

Mater is the breakout hit character of the Cars franchise, and his namesake ride is visually attractive but slow-loading. Expect long lines from shortly after park opening. Near the entrance are some interactive musical instruments, sure to delight kids and deafen adults.

All eyes in the theme park industry turn this week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure is being celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opens to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants will have already had an opportunity to experience the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team is there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. will all be on-property this week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Over the next few days, please check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.